Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's in Special Education

At TWU, I've had amazing professors show me the type of teacher I want to be. They taught me content I need to teach my future students, and showed me compassion and understanding. They went out of their way to help me. I will make sure that my students know I will always be rooting for them - the same way I know my professors are rooting for me. Elizabeth Araiza, EC-6, Bilingual Education, Class of 2021

TWU gave me a sense of community and direction. I went beyond what I thought I was capable of accomplishing thanks to TWU. It shaped me into an educator who understands how important culture and differentiation is to student success and the importance of diversity and inclusion of culture and languages in the classroom. Jessica Hoyos, Teacher at Lewisville High School Harmon

These programs have created and maintained my solid foundation as a teacher. They prepared me for responsibilities I face daily in education. The faculty’s dedication is second to none and they truly want to help students be successful now and in the future. Jennifer Reid, Special Education Teacher

A great thing about the MEd in special education at TWU is that you don’t need to physically be there at all. Online fit my schedule, but I still felt on campus because of professional, resourceful, empathetic faculty always ready to help. I had a great experience and I’m so prepared for my next step. Ali Alenizi, International student

Admission Requirements

1. Students who apply for this accelerated degree program must be a current TWU education major and admitted to the Educator Preparation Program. 
2. Students must have completed 72 credit hours towards their B. S. degree prior to applying to the Graduate School. 
3. Students who apply for this accelerated degree program must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher at the time of application and must maintain this GPA throughout the accelerated degree program or the student will be removed from the accelerated degree program.
4. Students that apply to this program must pass the following TEXES licensure exams in alignment with current EPP standards and guidelines: 
   1. Content Exam (e.g., EC-6 Core Subjects)
   2. EC-12 PPR 
   3. Special Education Supplemental
   4. Science of Teaching Reading
5. Students must successfully complete their student teaching during the last semester of their undergraduate program.
6. Students must apply to both the M.Ed. in Special Education program and the TWU Graduate School in the second semester of their junior year once the student has completed 72 credit hours.
7. Students applying to the accelerated degree program will be required to provide a minimum of 2 recommendation letters in support of their application. These letters of recommendation should come from individuals who can speak to the student’s educational capabilities, etc.
8. A student who does not satisfy the conditions of the application process within three semesters and who has yet to complete the undergraduate degree, may petition for an extension and deferral of admission to a later date. A student who does not satisfy the conditions within three semesters but who has earned the bachelor degree may petition for entry into the Master’s program, but without assurance of participating in the accelerated option.

Accelerated Undergraduate-Graduate Program Policy Guidelines

Students may apply to an approved accelerated degree program once they have completed at least 60 undergraduate semester credit hours. Upon admission to an accelerated program, students may enroll in graduate courses for credit once they have attained at least 72 undergraduate semester credit hours. Approved courses will apply to both an undergraduate and a graduate degree.

Conditions

• Up to 12 SCH of designated graduate courses may apply to both the Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree program comprised of 45 or fewer SCH; and up to 15 graduate SCH may apply toward both an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree program comprised of more than 45 SCH (Master’s, Specialist or Doctoral degree.)
• Undergraduate students may enroll in no more than 6 SCH of graduate coursework in each semester or term.
• No undergraduate-level course may count toward a graduate degree.
• Minimal criteria for admission will include a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Academic components may set higher requirements for their program.
• Once admitted to an accelerated program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the remainder of their baccalaureate degree, or their admission to the accelerated graduate program may be revoked. Academic components may set additional requirements for their programs.
• Prior to applying to an accelerated degree program, students must have completed a minimum of 15 semester credit hours at Texas Woman's University.

Graduate Application Process

All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.

This academic program may have additional graduate admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the graduate program's website.